The low freeboard of the *King George V* class battleships, which were built for the Royal Navy during the late 1930s and early 1940s, was a design flaw that ultimately contributed to their vulnerability in rough seas. Freeboard refers to the height of the ship's hull above the waterline, and a low freeboard can make a ship more susceptible to taking water over the bow in heavy weather. The *King George V* class, while powerful, had relatively low bows, which led to considerable seaworthiness issues during their service.
Despite the problems with their low freeboard, the Royal Navy did not attempt to raise the bows or significantly alter the ships after construction. There were several reasons for this decision.
Firstly, the *King George V* class ships were already in active service during the war, and making such a major modification would have been time-consuming and costly. The ships were heavily involved in important operations, including the Battle of the Atlantic and the pursuit of the *Bismarck*, and the Navy was not in a position to take them out of service for extensive refits that could affect their operational readiness.
Additionally, the low freeboard was not the only issue facing the ships. They were designed for speed and firepower, and the naval priorities during the early years of World War II focused more on their ability to fight effectively in combat, rather than the ship's performance in extreme weather conditions. Raising the bow would have meant significant changes to the ship’s overall balance, potentially affecting speed, stability, and gun accuracy.
Lastly, by the time the full extent of the *King George V* class's weaknesses became clear, there was already a shift in naval technology and tactics. Aircraft carriers and submarines were becoming more prominent, and the Royal Navy focused on future designs rather than major alterations to existing battleships.
In conclusion, the decision not to raise the bows of the *King George V* class battleships was due to practical constraints related to ongoing wartime needs, the cost and time required for such a modification, and shifting naval priorities.